Friday, June 15, 2012

1. On a recent visit to the beer emporium, I
was intrigued by a four-pack of an unfamiliar beer, Kentucky Bourbon
Barrel Ale. Here is an excerpt from the description at the brewer's web site:

... a unique sipping beer with the distinctive nose of a
well-crafted bourbon. Our Kentucky Ale is aged for up to 6 weeks in
freshly decanted bourbon barrels from some of Kentucky's finest
distilleries.

Subtle yet familiar flavors of vanilla and oak are
imparted to this special ale as it rests in the charred barrels.
Pleasantly smooth and robust, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale may also be served as
an aperitif or after dinner drink.

This was such an unusual-tasting beer that I didn't really know what I thought
of it until I had a second bottle a few days after I tried it the first time. I
like it, although it is sweeter than I normally prefer a beer to be. It's one I'll have to be
in the right mood for, but on those rare occasions I don't want a strong hops
presence, I'll definitely think of it.

2. Phil Johnson provides an interesting example of
intuition and speculation being widely off the mark:

Intuition and speculation have always suggested that if you sell
someone a watch, you create a lifetime customer who will grow in value and buy
more expensive watches as they move up in their career. You sell a young person
a $200 watch when they start out. Then, after the first big promotion they
graduate to a better watch, and at the pinnacle of their career, they purchase
an expensive luxury watch. Hopefully.

Boredom is not a necessary consequence of having nothing to do, it
is only the negative experience of that state. Television, by obviating the
need to learn how to make use of one's lack of occupation, precludes one
from ever discovering how to enjoy it. In fact, it renders that condition
fearsome, its prospect intolerable. You are terrified of being bored -- so
you turn on the television.

He offers a similar insight regarding the Internet.

4. Game theoryto the rescue? "[T]his
analysis should settle the toilet seat controversey for once and for all - if
John and Marsha are mathematicians."

2 comments:

Steve D.
said...

‘He offers a similar insight regarding the Internet.’What about reading? Do people pick up a book, especially fiction to alleviate boredom? I’ve done that in the past. I say it’s basically the same thing. It’s asking someone to entertain you rather than taking responsibility to entertain yourself.The internet is a little more proactive but books, television, internet, movies; these are all passive forms of entertainment. Write a story, design a game, do an experiment, plant a garden, draw a picture (and just for you Gus, brew beer) vs. watch television, surf the net, read a book, go to an art gallery. You get the picture.I’m not against books, televisions or the internet. They are often useful and sometimes necessary and once in a while are even fun. It’s just that well…I didn’t make that webpage, produce that television show, write that book, invent that roller coaster, make that wine or compose that music. If I had, it would have been a whole lot more fun! So figure out what you want to do and go out and do it. Spend a little time perusing the famous art if you want to make fine art though; I’m sure it will be an inspiration.I’ve known people who are driven mostly internally vs. those who are usually motivated by external considerations. It’s very obvious to me which group is the most content. (And if you both brew and drink that beer, you get the advantages of both!)